Over the last few months or so a craze has been sweeping social media sites where people, irrespective of age, nationality or sex, have posted footage of themselves joyfully singing and dancing along to the smash hit “Happy” by the American singer Pharrell Williams.

This song, as its name implies, is a celebration of the good things in life. It does exactly what it says on the packet and as well as being a catchy, cheerful little ditty it is one of the best-selling songs of the last year or so..

The video footage accompanying the release of the song inspired what can only be called a phenomenon as people the world over compete to show their happiness and exuberance whilst cavorting along to the song in a huge variety of locations.

The whole thing is no more than an innocent display of harmless fun, except in the view of the easy going and tolerant Iranian government which last week arrested and locked up six of its citizens for daring to join in that fun and enjoy themselves.

As this blog has stated on more than one occasion, how lucky we are to live in the West. Islam fundamentalism, freedom and fun for all? I don’t think so.